Story Highlights

CHESTER, Pa. – Considering the mistakes that led to Saturday's 2-1 loss to Columbus have been seen in the other games this year, the Union should be glad they're sitting on just one loss instead of three.

On Saturday, Philadelphia (1-1-1, 4 points) hosts struggling but dangerous Montreal (0-3-0), which gets back star striker Marco Di Vaio. Di Vaio served a three-game suspension to start the season because of his actions in a loss to Houston in the playoffs last season.

There's no question the Union appear to be better than last year, but some of last season's concerns linger. A missed mark on a set piece led to a wide-open Bernardo Anor burying a corner kick to give Columbus a 1-0 lead last weekend. In extra time at the end of the first half, a sloppy turnover led to a deep chance from Anor, who buried the shot past an unsuspecting Zac MacMath in net.

The Union had plenty of opportunities to score throughout the game. They walked away with four shots on target from 19 attempts, though some of those off target were taken in plenty of space and should have found the net. Still, manager John Hackworth is optimistic about the team's early offensive struggles.

"A lot of that just comes down to execution," he said. "I would be worried if we weren't creating those chances, but the fact that we literally had [19 attempts] in that game, I think they're going to start to fall."

Montreal's allowed six goals in three games this season, so Philadelphia's chances of scoring two or more goals for the first time since Aug. 10 seem high. But Philadelphia was winless against Montreal last year, dropping both games played on the road while fighting for a 0-0 draw at PPL Park in August.

Di Vaio finished with 20 goals last season and will be looking to get his team its first point of the season. A motivated and hungry Di Vaio is tough enough, and the fact that Union right back Sheanon Williams and center back Austin Berry could both miss Saturday's matchup doesn't make things easier.

Philadelphia could once again call on converted striker Aaron Wheeler to step in on the back line. Wheeler's held his own so far this season but hasn't faced a striker as good at playing the offside trap as Di Vaio.